Kirkland Police Records Search
Kirkland police records are processed through the Kirkland Police Department's Public Disclosure unit, which handles requests for incident reports, arrest records, body camera footage, and other law enforcement documents under Washington's Public Records Act. The department operates the Kirkland Justice Center at 11750 NE 118th St and accepts requests by email, online, and in person.
Kirkland Police Records Overview
How to Request Kirkland Police Records
The Kirkland Police Department has a dedicated Public Disclosure unit for all police records requests. For general questions about police records, email policerecords@kirklandwa.gov or call 425-587-3481. To submit a formal records request, use the email policepdr@kirklandwa.gov or submit in person at the Kirkland Justice Center, 11750 NE 118th St, Kirkland, WA 98034, phone 425-587-3400.
The city's City Clerk handles non-police records, such as permits, planning files, contracts, and municipal court documents. The City Clerk can be reached at 425-587-3190 for non-police records requests. If you are not sure which office holds what you need, the Kirkland public records request page outlines the different record types and which department manages them.
After you submit a request, you receive a confirmation with a tracking number. Within five business days, Kirkland will either provide the records, point you to records already published on the city's website, give a timeline estimate, ask for clarification, or provide a denial with the specific exemption cited. The city cannot deny records without giving a legal reason tied to a specific statute.
The Public Disclosure page also includes the fee schedule for body camera video redaction and explains what information must be included when requesting footage.
Kirkland Police Records: Body Camera Footage
Body-worn camera footage is one of the most requested types of police records. Kirkland Police uses body cameras, and requests for that footage go through the Public Disclosure unit. To request body camera recordings, your request must include at least one of the following: the name of a person involved in the incident; the incident or case number; the date, time, and location; or identifying information about the officer involved.
The city charges $0.84 per minute of body camera video that requires redaction. This reflects the staff time spent reviewing footage frame by frame, applying redactions, and conducting a secondary review. For requests involving significant video footage, the total redaction cost can add up. The department will give you an estimated cost before processing begins for larger requests.
People who are directly involved in an incident are often exempt from some or all of these fees, depending on the nature of the request and the specific law that applies. If you were a party to the incident depicted in the footage, ask about fee exemptions when you submit your request. Kirkland's Public Records Act rules, adopted in 2024, set out the specific conditions under which fees may be waived or reduced.
What Records Kirkland Police Department Holds
The Kirkland Police Department maintains incident reports, arrest records, collision reports, use-of-force reports, and body camera footage. Incident reports are the most commonly requested documents, covering calls for service, on-scene officer responses, and the key facts about an event. These are public records under RCW 42.56, subject to specific exemptions.
Kirkland also publishes a Use of Force Dashboard on its website, which makes some use-of-force data publicly available without a records request. This dashboard covers aggregated data and is a useful starting point if you want general information about use-of-force patterns before requesting specific incident records.
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act at RCW 10.97 adds restrictions on sharing arrest records when charges were not filed or when someone was acquitted. The department applies these rules when they are applicable and notes the specific exemption when withholding information under this statute.
One thing worth noting: Kirkland does not process marriage or divorce records. Those are county records held by King County. If you need marriage or divorce paperwork, contact King County directly.
Kirkland Municipal Court Records
Municipal Court records are separate from police records. Kirkland handles Municipal Court records through a different process than police records. Court records are governed under General Rule 31.1 rather than the Public Records Act, which means different rules and timelines apply. For court case records, contact the Kirkland Municipal Court or use the Washington Courts online search system.
The Washington Courts name and case search covers both district and superior courts across the state. If a case went beyond municipal court to King County Superior Court, it will appear in that system. Municipal court records may require a direct inquiry with the court office to access. The police department handles the police side of a case, and the court handles the judicial side.
Statewide Criminal History Records
The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system at fortress.wa.gov/wsp/watch provides statewide conviction history for $11 per search. WATCH covers records from agencies across Washington, including Kirkland and King County. It is a good starting point when you need to understand someone's criminal record beyond a single city or county.
For certified criminal history records, the WSP Criminal History Records Section processes formal requests. Certified records carry an official seal and are commonly needed for court proceedings, immigration applications, or licensing purposes. They take longer to process than a standard WATCH search but are more authoritative for official uses.
Collision reports from Kirkland streets may be held by the Kirkland Police Department. For crashes on state highways, WSP often holds the report and charges $10.50 per document. Their collision records system is at wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records. When in doubt, check with the Kirkland Records Division first and then try WSP if the department does not have the report.
The MRSC guide on criminal history and arrest records explains in clear terms how Washington law enforcement agencies handle public records requests, what is typically exempt, and how the process works from start to finish.
Business Hours and Contact Details
The Kirkland Police Department Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is worth keeping in mind if you plan to submit or pick up records in person. The fax number is 425-587-3410. The department accepts paper request forms by fax and mail as well as electronic submissions. Business hours align with typical government schedules, so plan accordingly if you need to drop something off or pick up records.
There is a minimum charge of $5.00 per certified record if you request a certified copy. Standard copy fees for paper records may also apply. If your total fees are small, the city may waive them, but there is no formal fee waiver policy described in Kirkland's public records rules. Checking costs in advance helps you plan before the department processes your request.
King County Police Records
Kirkland police records are maintained by the Kirkland Police Department, but the city is located within King County. Records from unincorporated areas and the King County Sheriff's Office are managed separately at the county level.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Kirkland and each handles police records through its own department or agency.